The Giving Vine Campaign at Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery

As many residents in Cape May County decorate their homes for the holidays, it’s easy to take for granted that for some, a Christmas tree is a luxury. Because some families struggle at Christmas, Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery is hosting an outreach aimed at giving Christmas trees to people who might not be able to afford one for the Christmas season.

Hawk Haven is donating 10 Christmas trees with lights to families who can’t afford the cost of a live tree.

“Giving a Christmas tree to someone is one small way to make their holidays brighter,” said Hawk Haven co-owner Todd Wuerker. “Maybe what they were going to spend on a Christmas tree could go toward something else, like a utility bill or a present.”

The brightly lit Christmas trees that have lined the path to the winery’s tasting room since Thanksgiving won’t be at Hawk Haven for long. With the help of volunteers from Cape Assist, the trees along with wrapped toys and children’s outerwear will be headed to local families in need on Dec. 11.

Hawk Haven customers can get involved by bringing a new unwrapped toy or new children’s outerwear, such as coats, gloves and hats, to the tasting room. The Giving Vine Campaign will run until Dec. 10.

Visit the tasting room on Saturday, Dec. 10 for the winery’s annual Uncork Christmas event to celebrate the holidays. The festivities will include wine tasting, wine by the glass, the Crushpad Kitchen lunch and snack menu, live music from 1 to 4 p.m. and a visit from the “real” Santa Claus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call (609) 886-7347 or visit hawkhavenvineyard.com. The winery’s tasting room is open daily, year round with the exception of Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.